Things A Real Cigar Smoker Will Never Do

As, with any beloved hobby, there is a right and a wrong way to do it.

This is what Michael Herklots – vice president for retail and brand development for Nat Sherman cigars- says an aficionado needs to avoid whilst smoking a cigar.

Here are the seven worst mistakes you can make whilst lighting up.

Mistake #1: Expecting two cigars to smoke the same.

Premium cigars are a handmade product created from an agricultural crop.

A lot of variation can occur with the blends used, types of tobacco, and how the cigars are made. Predicting exactly how a cigar will smoke is it’s next to impossible.

So, embrace these small variations.

Mistake #2: Thinking that cigar flavours change over time, like wine

Cigars are a non-vintage industry and brands enswurethe cigar offers the same taste across time.

They add to and tinker with their tobacco blends, always trying to make sure the blend maintains the same taste while accounting for natural variation.

Over time, the taste of the cigar model will change, but very slowly. But, this difference is negligible in the short term.

Mistake #3: Holding the cigar in your mouth.

A cigar isn’t something to “clench between your teeth and cheek and suck on,” says Herklots.

It should be held in your hand and brought up to your mouth to puff, then brought back down to hang out between your fingers.

This also helps the cigar burn cooler, so you don’t waste any precious tobacco.

Mistake #4: Dipping the cigar in alcohol.

This is onemiscake that is sure to ruin the flavour of your cigar drastically.

“I can assure that if that cigar manufacturer wanted cognac at the end of the cigar, they would put it there,” says Herklots

Mistake #5: Limiting your cigar-smoking to only one brand or type.

You can have your preferred brand, sure. But don’t let some mistaken sense of loyalty to a particular brand keep you from sampling other varieties of cigars.

Mistake #6: Smoking what everyone else is smoking.

Don’t just smoke the same fat cigar that the CEO you’re meeting with is smoking.

You’re far better off asking the experts around you what you might enjoy instead of wasting a cigar, especially if you’re a beginner who isn’t really comfortable smoking a cigar just yet, adds Herklots

Mistake #7: Inhaling the cigar smoke.

NEVER INHALE while smoking a cigar. Keep in mind, they’re not cigarettes and the tobacco is often much stronger.

Just take a puff and let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds while you taste it; then blow it out with ease.

Puff and rotate your cigar every 30 seconds to a minute and enjoy with a strong alcoholic beverage.

So there you have it. Whether you’re interests in cigars is new or you’ve been an aficionado a while, avoiding these mistakes are crucial to enjoying your cigar and making each smoke, truly memorable.